On Thursday 14th December, Omagh Thunder welcomed Tyrone Towers from Dungannon for the last game before Christmas. The big Tyrone Rivalry between the two clubs always leads to exciting, physical intense matches and this match was no different.

Omagh got out to a fast start, going 8-0 up in the first few minutes. Tiyrone Weir, Padraig Donovan got the game started with quick baskets and Charlie McKinney contributed 8 points for the quarter including throwing down a dunk on the fast break. The first quarter ended 19-10 with Omagh looking comfortable.

However, the second quarter was a different story. Towers came out with a new mind-set and dominated the first few minutes, bring the score level and causing Omagh to turn the ball over. Charlie McKinney and Tiyrone Weir were keeping Omagh ahead towards the end of the second. Padraig Donovan got the last basket of the half putting Omagh ahead 34-32.

In the 3rd quarter Omagh decided to change their defensive strategies, moving to a 3-2 zone. This proved to be successful and Omagh were able to force turnovers and fast breaks off of Towers mistakes. Tiyrone Weir, Padraig Donovan and Charlie McKinney all scored 3 pointers in the quarter as well as converting various baskets between them. The 3rd ended with Omagh up 51-46.

The last quarter was very intense and physical with lots of stops because of fouls. There were few moments during the quarter where the game would flow and this caused both teams to be on edge and cause their own turnovers. Padraig Donovan was on fine shooting form however, hitting a couple three pointers and Charlie McKinney contributed to the score sheet. With 40 seconds to go, Omagh were up by 3 points, 59-56 and Towers had the ball. Omagh were focusing on taking away the 3 point shot and were successful. Omagh then had the ball with less than 24 seconds to go, causing Towers to intentionally foul to get the ball back. Dermot Gillian was sent to the free throw line for Omagh for two free throws to potentially put the game in the bag with 3.8 seconds left. Towers were unable to score and the game ended Omagh 61-56 winners.

Omagh Chiropractic Clinic MVP went to Charlie McKinney with 26 points. The season is now finished for the Christmas break and will resume in January. Omagh are top of the table with only 1 loss to their name and hopefully in the new year they can maintain their form.

On Thursday 23rd November, Omagh Thunder welcomed Andersontown Tigers from Belfast for their 7th game of the season. Coming off of 6 wins in a row for the Thunder, Omagh were going into the game with high hopes of continuing their winning streak.

The game started off well in Omagh’s favour, quickly breaking out into a strong lead with Tiyrone Weir, Padraig Donovan and Charlie McKinney all converting baskets and being aggressive on the defensive side of the floor. Padraig Donovan went on his own scoring spree and with Ronan Bradley hitting his own three pointer, the first quarter ended 27-14 to Omagh.

After a very strong first quarter, fresh legs were put into the game and Omagh’s paced dropped. Andersontown pounced on this lack of intensity and punished Omagh quickly reducing the lead and forcing Omagh into many turnovers. After a timeout by Omagh, they regained their focus and were able to claim back some of the lead they had lost. Tiyrone Weir was behind the scoring of this quarter with 12 points in the quarter alone, with Omagh finishing 47-34 ahead.

In the 3rd quarter, Omagh were having trouble with their offense as they were struggling with moving the ball effectively. Charlie McKinney got to the foul line on a number of occasions for easy points however Andersontown were shooting well and were capitalising well on Omagh’s mistakes. The lead dropped to only 9 points at the end of the 3rd quarter, 63-54 to Omagh.

Going into the last quarter with a very close game, Omagh changed their defensive mind-set to try and upset Andersontown’s momentum. This seemed to work but both teams were still scoring well and neither team were able to reduce or increase the lead. Charlie McKinney and Tiyrone Weir were working well with Padraig Donovan to create open baskets and opportunities. Towards the end of the quarter Omagh were able to increase the lead slightly, finishing the game 84-69.

Omagh Chiropractic MVP awards went to Tiyrone Weir (27 pts) and Charlie McKinney (20 pts). Omagh Thunder welcome Tyrone Towers from Dungannon next Thursday night at 8:15pm in the Station Centre in what is always a very physical and intense matchup. All supporters are welcome as Omagh try for 8 wins out of 8!

On Thursday 9th November, Omagh Thunder welcomed Queens Eagles from Belfast for their 5th game of the season. Coming into the game with a winning streak to keep, Omagh were looking keep their good form going. Queens were coming into the game off a close win against Magherafelt and were also ready to play.

The game started off with a quick steal from Charlie McKinney that converted into 2 points, immediately boosting Omagh’s confidence, however, scoring was a struggle for both teams in this quarter, finishing 11-10 to Omagh. The second quarter was much like the first, low scoring and good defensive pressure from Queens caused Omagh to turn the ball over on numerous occasions. Omagh were getting frustrated on the offensive end but were able to keep their defensive composure, making sure Queens didn’t sail into an early lead. The second quarter ended with low scores of 23-18.

Going into the 3rd quarter, Omagh’s mind-set had changed as they realised they needed to pick up the scoring and focus on passing the ball around the Queens zone defence. This proved useful as Charlie McKinney and Tiyrone Weir converted on multiple three point attempts with Dermot Gillian, Aidan Bradley and Padraig Donovan all converting their own baskets. Queens were still holding close however ending the quarter trailing Omagh by 2 points, 39-37.

In the last quarter, Omagh took control, passing and moving the ball well. Omagh quickly put Queens into foul trouble, creating early chances for Charlie McKinney to get to the free throw line for easy points. Charlie also converted multiple three pointers and with Jack Hall and Ronan Bradley claiming their own baskets, Omagh kept Queens scoreless for the quarter, running out winners 59-37.

Omagh Chiropractic Clinic MVP award for the game went to Charlie McKinney with a 31-point performance. Omagh are away to Belfast Pumas on Monday 13th November, and then welcome Andersontown Tigers from Belfast on Thursday 23rdNovember in the Station Centre. Omagh remain the only unbeaten team in the BNI Division 1 league and hope to keep this winning run going in the following weeks.

On Thursday 26th October, Omagh Thunder took to the court once again to fend off against United LT from Cookstown. Going into the game, the Thunder were unbeaten and looking to continue their winning ways. United LT were a very physical and strong team and a win tonight was no easy task.

Omagh took to the floor and got off to a great start with Tiyrone Weir, Padraig Donovan and Charlie McKinney all contributing both under the rim and beyond the 3-point line. Omagh were leading well but United LT started knocking down their 3 point shots with ease, hitting four 3-pointers in the last 3 minutes to narrow Omagh’s lead to 21-18 at the end of the first. Going into the second quarter, Padraig Donovan started off with a great shooting display, with three 3-pointers of his own with Ronan Bradley and Jack Hall helping on the offensive end as well. Omagh were having a tough time under the boards grabbing rebounds but soon settled into the quarter, picking up the intensity on defence, allowing them to run the fast break well. Omagh ended the quarter with a 14-point lead 42-28.

In the 3rd quarter, Omagh and United LT matched basket for basket, with both teams shooting well. Padraig Donovan continued his scoring with 12 points in the quarter alone. United LT were doing well, keeping up with Omagh’s pace and both teams were unable to outdo the other.

Going into the last quarter, Omagh knew that United LT could quickly close the gap with their 3-point shooting ability and focused on hassling their guards, this resulted in steals for Charlie McKinney and Padraig Donovan and they were able to push the lead out further. Good defensive boards and hustle allowed Omagh to hold United LT back and Omagh ran out winners 81-59.

Padraig Donovan claimed both MVP votes with 29 points and Charlie McKinney had 20 points. Omagh Thunder are now 4-0 and they are the only unbeaten team in the league with a week off before hosting Queens Eagles from Belfast on Thursday 9th November at 8:15pm in the Station Centre in what is expected to be another physical close game. Omagh would love as much support as possible as they try to continue their unbeaten run!